Get Your Home Ready for Winter Vacation
It’s time to get your home ready for winter vacation. This allows you to relax and enjoy your vacation, rather than worrying about what’s going on at home. While preventative maintenance year round is important for your home, there are few things to remember when you are leaving your home unoccupied for more than a day or two. Here are some things to help you prepare your home for your vacation. As always contact us at Weather Crafters is here to help anyway they can to get your home ready for winter vacation!
Heating System
Whether you are getting ready to leave home for a winter vacation, or if you just want to be prepared, it is important to keep your heating system running as efficiently as possible. It is recommended that you have your heating system and cooling system inspected before each season of use. Schedule an appointment to have your HVAC or furnace inspected in the fall and spring each year, before you need heat or air-conditioning. This will decrease your heating bill and increase the life expectancy of your system by keeping it running as efficiently as possible. If you are preparing to leave on vacation, do a quick check yourself of the heating system by inspecting the furnace and it’s pilot light, look at and replace air filters as needed, and make sure the thermostat is working properly.
Keep the HVAC Running
Even if you will be gone for a long while, it is important to keep your HVAC system running to protect your home and your possessions. Changing temperatures and humidity can cause damage to your house, as well as belongings like paintings, books, and furniture. The simplest defense is to keep your HVAC system on, but lower the temperature. Most homes will be okay as long as you set the thermostat to no lower than 55 degrees. This will decrease the energy your home uses without causing damage within. Leaving your HVAC system running is an easy way to get your home ready for winter vacation.
Air Filters
Changing air filters is one of the easiest things you can do to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system and prolong its life. You should change the filters throughout the year, but it is also important to check and change the filters before you leave on vacation. This way, you don’t have to worry about needing to replace the filter as soon as you get home.
Clear Handling Unit
The area around your indoor air handling unit should be clear and unobstructed so air can flow freely. At least 3 feet of space should be available around the unit and any flammable material should be well away. Do not crowd the space by trying to turn it into a storage area. Making sure your indoor handling unit is clear is another easy way to get your home ready for winter vacation.
Clear Outdoor Heat Pump
Maintaining your outdoor heat pump is vital to the efficiency and life span of the system. Periodically check the unit to ensure that it is not clogged by leaves or debris, and that shrubs and branches haven’t grown in and encroached on the space. You should have at least 2 feet of space on all sides of the heat pump to allow air to flow properly and for any technicians to work safely.
Water Heater
When going on vacation, it is a waste of energy and money to keep a full tank of hot water at your house. Before leaving, adjust the setting on your water heater by either turning it off, or turning the temperature down. Many models also have a “vacation” setting you can switch to that will solve the problem. Get your home ready for winter vacation by turning down the water heater.
Humidifier
Humidity is an issue that can be problematic in homes, especially when they are unoccupied. Having individual humidifiers throughout the home can be one solution but it can be a hassle to maintain all of these machines and keep them running. Consider installing a whole-house humidifier. These humidification systems run independently and need very little maintenance. They detect when the humidity is too high or too low automatically and make adjustments as needed. When you aren’t home, they can still keep things running, which means it’s one less thing for your to worry about.
Prevent Frozen Pipes
Freezing pipes can be a big problem, especially when you are out of town and are unable to do anything. If water freezes in a pipe, it causes a blockage, adding pressure to the rest of the system, until the pipe bursts. This can cost a lot to fix, and the resulting water damage is also a big hassle. The simplest solution is to leave your faucets on just a pinch, so that water drips out. The amount of water wasted through a steady drip is much less of an issue than a burst pipe. Another option would be to talk to a trustworthy neighbor and ask them to come turn on your faucets if the temperature dips towards freezing.
If you have any more questions or need help getting your home ready for winter vacation you can contact us!
For more ideas on how to get your home ready for winter vacation, check out https://www.aiellohomeservices.com/2017/11/09/prepare-holiday-vacation/
